Detergent Dosing Device

ABSTRACT

A refill device for a multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprises: a plurality of dosage elements each containing an amount of detergent; and a disposable dosage element support means for containing said dosage elements and holding them in a specific configuration prior to use, wherein said specific configuration matches a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device and facilitates insertion of said dosage elements into said multi-chamber inlet part by a user without the user needing to handle any of said dosage elements directly. In one variant, primary retail packaging is provided mimicking the internal formation of the multi-chamber inlet part ( 400 ) such that the removal of a lid and subsequent inverting of a base portion of the packaging over the multi-chamber inlet part brings the dosage elements into correct registration with the chambers of the multi-chamber inlet part. In this variant, a user then needs to simply press on the base so as to eject the dosage elements into the multi-chamber inlet part. Plastics waste is minimal.

This invention relates to a refill device for a multi-dosing detergent delivery device for use in a ware washing machine, for example a dishwashing machine or a laundry washing machine.

PCT/GB2007/000177 describes a dosage element of cleaning composition and a chamber for use in multi-dosing detergent delivery device for a ware washing machine, wherein said chamber comprises a container for said dosage element and comprises at least a top hole and a bottom hole for permitting ingress and egress of water/wash liquor to/from the chamber. In preferred arrangements of the aforementioned invention, the chamber comprises a sleeve of a plastics material having an upper, and a lower opening, with in some cases there being also provided a middle opening being intermediate said upper and lower openings and being larger than said lower opening and smaller than said upper opening.

PCT/GB2007/000177 also describes an article comprising a rack of dosage elements and chambers as aforementioned wherein said chambers are retained on a backing material and said rack is in the form of a parallel array of elongate chambers containing solid dosage elements, the rack being formable into a generally cylindrical nested form.

FIGS. 1 through 7 show an embodiment of the arrangements of PCT/GB2007/000177 in more detail, in these figures:

FIG. 1 shows an the article in nested form, in a perspective view, generally from above;

FIG. 2 shows the article of FIG. 1 in nested form, in side view;

FIG. 3 shows the article of FIG. 1 in flat form;

FIG. 4 shows a dosage element of the article of FIG. 3 in plan view;

FIG. 5 a shows the article of FIG. 1 being introduced into a holder of FIG. 5 b, the cap, containing the dosage element selecting device, being shown removed, as FIG. 5 c;

FIG. 6 shows the article of FIG. 1 having been located within the holder of FIG. 5 b; and

FIG. 7 shows the fully assembled device, with the cap of FIG. 5 c having been placed on the holder and article assembly of FIG. 6 a.

The article of FIG. 1 is manufactured as a flat plastics tray of elongated blister chambers 2, shown in FIG. 3, comprising a thermoformed plastics tray. The open end of each blister chamber 2 is formed all around its perimeter with an endless flange 4 (which can be seen in FIG. 2). Dosage elements 6 comprising solid rods or sticks of a cleaning composition (intended in this embodiment to be used for cleaning in an automatic dishwasher machine) are introduced into the blister chambers. This can be done in different ways. For example in one embodiment the cleaning composition can be injected or cast into the chambers. However in this embodiment the rods or sticks comprising each dosage element 6 are pre-formed by injection moulding or extrusion, then cut to length and introduced into the chambers. It may be noted that they are introduced into the chambers in the first embodiment and to fill each chamber to the bottom end 8, but to leave a space 10 at the top end. In other, more preferred, embodiments to be discussed later however, there is also left free space between a lowermost extent of the dosage element 6 and the base of the chamber. This space 10 is left so that water can enter the chamber, via opening 12 in the upper end wall of the chamber. In this embodiment each such opening 12 is circular, and 8 mm in diameter. An identical opening (not shown) is formed in the lower end wall of the article, to allow water and entrained or dissolved cleaning composition to exit the chamber.

Once all of the chambers have been provided with the rods or sticks of cleaning composition (by whatever means) a backing sheet 14 is laid over the open ends, and secured to the flanges 4. The backing may be adhered thereto by any convenient means, for example by heat or adhesive.

Next, the flat article, now in the form of a rack or linear array of rods or sticks, may be curled into its nested form shown in FIG. 1. In this embodiment the nested form is a generally cylindrical array. It may be retained in its nested form by a piece of adhesive tape 16.

The backing may be printed on its outwards-facing side with information, for example a trade mark, with product get-up, and/or with usage information.

As shown in FIG. 4, each rod or stick—and correspondingly each blister, has a flat base wall 18 abutting the backing sheet 14. From the base wall 18, each rod or stick, and each blister, generally tapers to a narrower distal end wall 20. The side walls initially taper gradually, as at 22, 24, then undergo a somewhat abrupt inward dislocation 26, then taper at an intermediate rate (between that of the side wall portion and the dislocation 26) at 27, until the distal end wall 20 is reached.

The rods or sticks may be regarded as having the general shape of a triangular prism (i.e. trigonal). To be more precise, as noted above the side walls taper in a discontinuous manner.

It will be noted that the rods or sticks are located on the backing sheet with a separation 28 between them, at their base walls 18.

It may further be noted that the rods or sticks have a separation 30 between them, at their distal end region, when in their nested form.

The backing sheet has, as a result of the mould into which it is thermoformed during manufacture, preferential fold lines 32. These fold lines 32 are aligned with the spacings 28 between the rods or sticks.

The end result of these features is as follows, and can be clearly seen in FIG. 1: when the article is formed into its nested shape the backing sheet is displaced about its fold lines 22, in an articulated manner. This nesting or folding is permitted by the spacings 28 and 30; if the sticks or rods simply abutted against each other the operation would not be permitted, due to physical obstruction. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the spacings 30 in the distal end regions may remain even in the nested form (though obviously narrowed).

In use, the article of the invention is a refill which is supplied in its nested form shown in FIG. 1, and also FIG. 5 a. In that nested from it is inserted into a holder, shown in FIG. 5 b. The holder is a cylindrical tub having a hub-like axial projection 40 extending upwards from its base substantially the whole axial length of the tub. Projecting outwardly from the projection 40 are four fins 42, set at 90° intervals. The fins extend approximately four-tenths of the radial distance of the holder.

The holder has a hanging handle 44.

The bottom wall of the holder is a large opening (not shown).

The holder has a lid shown in FIG. 5 c. The lid has a central indexing device 46 surrounded by a sieve 48, to allow particulate-free water to enter the holder. The central indexing device has a push button 50 and, around it, a dial 54 carrying numbers, equalling the number of rods or sticks of cleaning composition. Each time the dishwasher is to be used, the user presses the button to advance the control dial by one number, bringing the next rod or stick of cleaning into use. This is done by rotating an apertured disc within the lid by one position so that water entering the holder must pass through the aperture thereof, now in alignment with the next rod or stick. Water enters the appropriate blister through the opening 12 which is aligned with the opening within the lid. The water may fill the spacing 10 above the rod or stick. The rod or stick is soaked by the water and dissolves and/or crumbles away, leaving the blister through the bottom opening.

Somewhat surprisingly, we have found that excellent dissolution of the rods or sticks is achieved by this method. It might have been expected that dissolving dosage elements of the cleaning composition by directing water to one end of them in an axial or lengthwise direction might be an inefficient method. In fact, dissolution or dispersion is excellent and the arrangement is very space-efficient, in not taking up very much of the “footprint area” available within the dishwashing machine.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, when the article is located within the tub of the holder the fins 42 are located within spacings 30 of the nested article. The tolerance of the fins in the spacings 30 is not large and in this way it is assured, that the rods or sticks, and the upper openings 12, are in the correct orientation, to align with the opening within the lid.

FIG. 7 shows the fully assembled device.

As was apparent from the discussion above, the first embodiment of PCT/GB2007/000177 as described utilised identically sized holes top and bottom. In other embodiments different configurations are described in which different sizing of holes is provided and an extra hole intermediate the top and bottom holes can also advantageously provided.

In all of the aforementioned arrangements, there are required to be around 80 g of Polypropylene injected plastic for a 12 wash refill cartridge. Here, there is a 7 g plastics cost per detergent dosage.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to reduce the amount of waste material per wash, whilst still providing a convenient article and refill cartridge.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a refill device suitable for use in a multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the refill device comprising: a plurality of dosage elements each containing an amount of detergent; and a disposable dosage element support means for containing said dosage elements and holding them in a specific configuration prior to use, wherein said specific configuration matches, in use, a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device and facilitates insertion of said dosage elements into such a multi-chamber inlet part by a user without the user needing to handle any of said dosage elements directly.

Said dosage elements are bare, or are preferably bare, i.e. they preferably have no packaging around them and comprise rods or sticks of a cleaning composition with no outer wrapping or packaging. Said dosage elements may be of the same or similar composition to the dosage elements of the prior art, with the exception that the dosage elements of the present invention are not then packaged into blister chambers—accordingly, waste packaging is reduced.

As noted, the dosage elements are preferably themselves devoid of any outer packaging and therefore the disposable dosage element support means holds said bare dosage elements uncovered in the said specific configuration prior to use and provides a means of carrying out refill operations without the user needing to grasp the bare dosage elements themselves.

In a first preferred variant, said dosage element support means comprises: a dosage element holder including a base element from which a plurality of dosage element supports extend, each dosage element support being apt to receive a single dosage element.

Preferably, each dosage element support comprises a finger that projects upwardly from said base element and co-operates with its respective dosage element to hold said dosage element thereon.

Here, each dosage element may have a passage formed within it and said passage is apt to receive said finger within it. Preferably each finger extends through the passage formed within its respective dosage element and protrudes through the end of its dosage element and stand proud of an end surface of said dosage element.

Preferably each dosage element support comprises retaining means at a distal end thereof so as to retain its respective dosage element thereon. The retaining means may comprise at least one detent means which enables the association of a dosage element with its respective support means but which resists removal of the dosage element from the support means once associated therewith. Preferably, said detent means comprises a pair of angled detents which co-operate to compress towards one another so as to enable the support means to extend through a passage formed within a dosage element, but which expand outwardly to retain said dosage element once said dosage element is pushed fully home.

The refill device may further comprise a base part for co-operation with said dosage element holder and said base part may comprise locating means, such as a central moulding, to co-operate with a corresponding feature of the dosage element holder to join the dosage element holder and base part to one another.

Preferably, said disposable dosage element support means comprises an injection moulded plastics material.

In a second preferred variant, said dosage element support means comprises: a dosage element holder comprising a multi-compartment base and a lid.

In this variant, said multi-compartment base preferably comprises means for separating a plurality of said dosage elements from one another and keeping them spaced apart in such a manner that they assume a configuration to match a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device.

Preferably said means for separating comprises upstanding divider parts formed as an integral part of the base and/or comprises fully or partially formed recess wells within the base.

Preferably, said multi-compartment base comprises a one-piece plastics element and may be suitably formed by thermo-moulding.

Preferably, said base includes means for ensuring a positive engagement between itself and the lid which may comprise a lip around the base co-operating with a complimentary shaped lip around the lid or, for instance, may comprise a centrally upstanding portion formed within the base, co-operating with a suitable complimentary central and downwardly depending part formed on the lid.

Preferably, the lid and base are formed so that when the lid is lifted from the base, a top part of each dosage element stands proud of the base so as to protrude therefrom.

Preferably the weight of plastics material in the base and lid is less than 30 g, preferably less than 25 g, preferably less than 20 g, most preferably less than 15 g.

Preferably, when the lid is removed and the base inverted the base is arranged so as to retain the dosage elements.

Preferably the base has means for retaining the dosage elements when the base is inverted with the lid removed. The means for retaining may be a gripping means, for example, arising from the fit of the dosage elements in compartments of the base. Alternatively or additionally the base may be constructed such that there is an inwards displacement of wall(s) thereof, giving rise to a retaining force, when a user grips the base.

Preferably, the refill device is arranged such that, in use, to refill a multi-dosing detergent delivery device a user removes the lid from the base and inverts the base and then brings the protruding parts of the dosage elements into registration with empty compartments of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device. Preferably, to displace the dosage elements into the compartments of the multi-chamber the user presses on the bottom of the base to eject said dosage elements from said base into said compartments.

Advantageously, said base is formed with a series of concentric rings/ridges which facilitate the pushing action so as to enable the bottom of the base to go from a generally flat form to a concave formation and urge the dosage elements out of the base.

Preferably, said base and lid form the primary packaging for a refill pack.

The invention includes a refill apparatus comprising the refill device either of the above variants further comprising a multi-compartment inlet part for the reception therein said refill device and/or of dosage elements from said refill device.

The invention also extends to a multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising the refill device.

Preferably the multi-dosing detergent delivery device is detachable from a ware-washing machine (rather than being a built-in module of a machine).

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a ware-washing machine (preferably an automatic dishwashing machine) provided with a multi-dosing delivery device of the first aspect. Preferably the device is such that it may be fitted into (and removed from) a machine by an end user. Preferably permanent machine adaptations are not undertaken. Thus in simple terms the device is preferably an “add-on” to an existing machine.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:

FIG. 8( a) shows in an exploded perspective view a plurality of detergent sticks, a stick holder and a base part according to a first embodiment of the invention, whilst FIG. 8( b) shows the same parts in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 9 perspective view a multi-chamber inlet part into which the assembly of FIG. 8( b) is insertable; and

FIG. 10( a), (b), (c) and (d) show a retail pack of replacement detergent sticks according to a second embodiment and how they may be conveniently associated with a multi-chamber inlet part during a refilling operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 10, a first embodiment of a refill pack for a multi-dosing detergent delivery device will be described in which detergent sticks 100 may be associated with a multi-dosing detergent delivery device whilst reducing the amount of plastics material.

Referring to FIG. 8( a) there is shown in exploded view a detergent stick holder 200, twelve detergent sticks 100 and a base part 300. The detergent stick holder 200 includes a base element 240, from which twelve fingers 220 project upwardly, each finger being apt to receive a single stick 100 of detergent.

Here, it will be noted that each finger 220 includes retaining means 222 at a distal end thereof in the form of a pair of angled detents which co-operate so as to enable engagement within a central hole 110 formed through each detergent stick. The sticks 100 thus each push onto a respective finger 220 of the detergent stick holder 200 and are held thereon by the retaining means 220 which is compressed inwardly during its passage through the hole 110, but which springs out to retain each finger when it is pushed fully home. The base element 240 of the detergent stick holder 200 itself has a central hole 260 which co-operates with a central moulding 310 of the separate base part 300 to form locating means to either permanently or releaseably join the holder 200 and base part 300 to one another. The base part 300 also preferably features a central hole 320 in register with the hole 260 of the detergent stick holder 200.

The finished and assembled refill part is shown in FIG. 8( b) and it is in this form that the embodiment is preferably supplied to a customer. In this assembled form the end user may simply take this assembled part and place it into a multi-chamber inlet part 400 of the type shown in FIG. 9. Here, it will be appreciated that the multi-chamber inlet part 400 may effectively form part of a main body part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device. Effectively the assembled parts 100 through 400 as described herein may take the place of the blister package and holder described earlier and a suitable indexing mechanism may be used to selectively direct washing liquor to one of the twelve chambers of the multi-compartment inlet part 400 to provide a dose of detergent during a washing cycle.

In the embodiment described above it is envisaged that the disposable parts of the assembly comprise the detergent stick holder 200 and the base part 300 which may contain 14 grams and 8.4 grams of plastics material respectively giving a total plastics wastage cost of 22.4 grams per twelve washing cycles, which is a considerable saving over the 80 gram cost of the aforementioned prior art arrangements.

In another variation, rather than the whole detergent stick holder 200 and base part 300 being fully disposable, they could be part of a refill scheme where they are returned to a retail outlet, or the manufacturer for re-use. In another variation, rather than the whole assembly of stick holder 200 and base element 300 being used within the detergent multi-dosing device, the sticks of detergent 100 could be deposited directly into the multi-compartment inlet part 400 from the stick holder 200. For instance, the retaining means 222 might in such a variation be omitted or arranged to have only a very weak grasp onto the detergent sticks 100 so as to ease direct deployment into the multi-compartment inlet part.

There will now be described in conjunction with FIGS. 9 and 10 a second embodiment of a refill cartridge for a multi-dosing detergent delivery device in which there is reduced plastics wastage.

The second embodiment also envisages the use of a multi-chamber inlet part 400 of the kind shown in FIG. 9. However, in contrast to the first embodiment, it is considered that there should be the possibility of eliminating the need for a separate detergent stick holder and base part per se. Instead, in this embodiment it is contemplated that the user may directly introduce the individual detergent sticks into the multi-chamber inlet part 400.

It is of course desirable for a user to avoid the need for handling individual bare dosage sticks. Therefore, the inventors have designed a specific refill packaging solution in which (as shown in FIG. 10( a)) individual detergent sticks are provided already arrayed and separated into the same configuration as they will be used within the multi-dosing detergent delivery device. Here, the packaging consists of a one piece multi-compartment base 500 and a lid 600.

The multi-compartment base 500 includes means for separating the twelve detergent sticks 100 from one another and keeping them spaced apart in such a manner that they assume the same axially separated configuration as they will do in the multi-dosing detergent delivery device. These means for separating may typically comprise upstanding divider parts formed as part of an integral moulding of the one piece base 500, or may comprise full or partially formed recess wells within the base 500. The base 500 preferably includes means for ensuring a positive engagement between itself and the lid 600. This may comprise a lip around the base 500 co-operating with a complimentary shaped lip around the lid 600. Alternatively and/or additionally, this positive engagement between lid 600 and base 500 may be ensured by including a centrally upstanding portion formed within the base 500 co-operating with a suitable complimentary central and downwardly depending part 620 formed on the lid 600—these central parts may also serve to separate the detergent sticks in transit.

As shown in FIG. 10( a) the lid 600 and base 500 are formed so that when the lid is lifted, a top part of each detergent stick 100 stands proud of the base.

Referring to FIG. 10( b), it can be seen that when the lid is removed and the base 500 inverted, the detergent sticks 100 do not simply fall out. The base is slightly compressed by the user's grip and thus holds the sticks in place. The user then brings the sticks 100 into register with the empty compartments of the multi-chamber inlet part 400 so as to bring it into the configuration shown in FIG. 10( c). Alternatively, the user may leave the base upright, then invert the part 400, then lower the part 400 on to the base 500, and then invert them together.

Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 10( d), to displace the detergent sticks 100 into the compartments of the multi-chamber inlet part 400, the user need simply press on the bottom of the base to urge the sticks into place, by the pushing force and/or gravity. Preferably, the bottom of the base is formed with a series of concentric rings/ridges 520-580 which facilitate the pushing action so as to enable the bottom of the base to go from a generally flat form to a concave formation and urge the sticks out of the base 500 and into the multi-chamber inlet part 400.

In accordance with the above description of the second embodiment a means of introducing detergent sticks into a multi-dosing detergent delivery device is provided in which a users hands need never come into contact with the detergent sticks themselves. Further, the only plastics material waste is the base and lid of the refill packaging which can be made of lightweight plastics and need only result in 10 grams wastage per twelve washes.

It will further be understood that the plastic base and lid may themselves advantageously form the primary packaging for a refill pack such that minimal extra packaging is utilised on the shelf, such extra packaging might, for instance, be limited to a plastics or foil seal to join the lid to the base during display and transport and provide a safety/moisture seal. The base and/or lid are preferably made of thermoformed plastics. The base and/or lid may themselves be printed with supplementary information such as product information, bar codes etc. or such information may be applied to a paper, card or plastics outer sleeve.

In the described embodiments, it will be appreciated that the actual details of the multi-dosing detergent delivery device itself are not critical to the understanding of the refill system described herein. In particular, it will be understood that during an indexing operation following a completed washing cycle (for example) the multi-chamber inlet part may itself be rotated one compartment at a time within a static outer container, or the inlet part may remain static whilst, for instance, an apertured disc or funnel attachment placed above the inlet part could rotate to selectively deliver washing liquor to one compartment or another. Also, it will be realised that such indexing might occur either manually (for instance by a user pushing a button) or automatically under action of, for instance, a wax motor.

It will also be understood that the composition of the detergent etc. is immaterial to the understanding of the refill system and it is sufficient to say that each dose of the composition is calculated to be sufficient for one washing cycle. Also, whilst the detergent composition is referred to throughout as being in stick or rod form, it will be realised by the skilled man that the actual form of the detergent need not be a rod, but could be a block such as a cuboid, sphere or other shape as convenient and conforming to the chamber shape of the multi-compartment inlet part 400.

Whilst it is preferred that the delivery device be utilised for automatic dishwashers, it may alternatively be applied to other scenarios such as clothes washing or other ware washing machines. 

1. A refill device adapted for use in a multi-dosing detergent delivery device, the refill device comprising: a plurality of dosage elements each containing an amount of detergent; and a a disposable dosage element support means for containing said dosage elements and holding them in a specific configuration prior to use, wherein said specific configuration matches, in use, a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device and facilitates insertion of said dosage elements into such a multi-chamber inlet part by a user without the user needing to handle any of said dosage elements directly.
 2. A refill device according to claim 1, wherein said dosage element support means comprises: a dosage element holder including a base element from which a plurality of dosage element supports protrude, each dosage element support being adapted to receive a single dosage element.
 3. A refill device according to claim 2, wherein each dosage element support comprises a finger that projects upwardly from said base element and co-operates with its respective dosage element to hold said dosage element thereon.
 4. A refill device according to claim 2, wherein each dosage element support comprises retaining means at a distal end thereof so as to retain its respective dosage element thereon.
 5. A refill device according to claim 1, wherein said dosage element support means comprises: a dosage element holder comprising a multi-compartment base and a lid.
 6. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said multi-compartment base comprises means for separating a plurality of said dosage elements from one another and keeping them spaced apart in such a manner that they assume a configuration to match a compartment layout of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device.
 7. A refill device according to claim 6, wherein said means for separating comprises upstanding divider parts formed as an integral part of the base.
 8. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said multi-compartment base comprises a one-piece plastics element.
 9. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said base includes means for ensuring a positive engagement between itself and the lid.
 10. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein the lid and base are formed so that when the lid is lifted from the base, a top part of each dosage element stands proud of the base so as to protrude therefrom.
 11. A refill device according to claim 10, wherein, in use, when the lid is removed and the base inverted the base is arranged so as to retain the dosage elements.
 12. A refill device according to claim 10, wherein, in use, to refill a multi-dosing detergent delivery device a user removes the lid from the base and inverts the base and then brings the protruding parts of the dosage elements into registration with empty compartments of a multi-chamber inlet part of a multi-dosing detergent delivery device.
 13. A refill device according to claim 12, wherein to displace the dosage elements into the compartments of the multi-chamber detergent delivery device the user presses on the bottom of the base to eject said dosage elements from said base into said compartments.
 14. A refill device according to claim 13, wherein said base is formed with a series of concentric rings/ridges which facilitate the pushing action so as to enable the bottom of the base to go from a generally flat form to a concave formation and urge the dosage elements out of the base.
 15. A refill device according to claim 5, wherein said base and lid form the primary packaging for a refill pack.
 16. A multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising the refill device according to claim
 1. 17. A ware-washing machine provided impermanently with a refill apparatus or a multi-dosing delivery device according to claim
 16. 18. A multi-dosing detergent delivery device comprising the refill device according to claim 1, which further comprises a multi-compartment inlet part for the reception therein of said refill device.
 19. A ware-washing machine according to claim 17, wherein said ware-washing machine is an automatic dishwashing machine. 